First Egg Countdown

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
haus' hens are super close from how red they are.

Squatting means that they are mature for mating. If they are mature enough for mating, then they need eggs for reproduction. They can squat for several weeks before you start seeing the eggs.

 

[Renee572]

haus' hens are super close from how red they are.

Squatting means that they are mature for mating.  If they are mature enough for mating, then they need eggs for reproduction.   They can squat for several weeks before you start seeing the eggs.

I wasn't saying haus hens aren't ready I was only saying that squatting doesn't mean they will lay soon. I think every sign of them laying has a probability. Just like I have read some people's hens lay before their combs are big and red. Really they will lay when they lay, squatting, egg song, big red comb and wattles are signs that they are mature like you said. My last one to start squatting doesn't even have a big or red comb yet so I really think it will still be awhile before I see an egg even though she's squatting.

 

[hausfrau77]

Good luck, the first egg is so exciting. I am still excited after 5 1/2 weeks. I finally have 2 layers and I am waiting on 2 more first eggs. It was just as exciting getting our first 2 egg day as it was getting our very first egg and I am sure our 1st 3 egg and 1st 4 egg days will be even more exciting! The wait is soo hard though.

At least we can all wait here with others in good company!

 

[sunflower4you]

My three big girls (EEs) are 18 weeks now and my little girls (BAs) just turned 14 weeks. Yesterday my 6 year old son just noticed that the littles have stopped their cheeping and now make clucking/honking noises like the bigs! Kind of sad because I will miss the little "meep meep meep" coming from my babies, but it's a good sign that they are growing up...and getting closer to giving me eggs!

 

[heiditam]

Oh we are waiting too! Just yesterday I noticed on of my barred rock and one of my white hens has red combs and wattles! Much redder than before! EEK! I am so ready!

 

[PluckyClucker99]

I am more than ready...

My hatchery birds an RIR pullet and 2 BR pullets have large reddish combs and wattles, and one of the BR's squatted the other day, but she won't do it gain. My other BR pullet has very little comb and wattle growth, and next to no comb and wattle coloring, which leads my to believe she will reach the POL last. The RIR has the largest and reddest comb and wattles, but she hasn't squatted yet. They will be 18 weeks tomorrow. Who do you think will lay first, and when?

 

[hausfrau77]

We got one! We got one! At first I thought my kiddo was playing a joke on me ( because its brown ) but its from one of the girls.......whooopeee(doing happy dance)

Now to figure out who it is.....3 cochins and a buttercup who are supposed to lay white and an easteregger who I thought would be blue....

 

[ChickenSheep]

I'm sitting on my hatchery surprise at 18 weeks! Come Hens do your thing already! Also have a RIR that is 19+ weeks.... A couple of roosters in the group have just started testing out their crowing ability. The pekin ducks that came with the chicks just started courting....

Not to mention my 4 ewes that are due any day! All this waiting is killing me. They will probably all lay and give birth on the same day.

 

[Renee572]

We got one! We got one! At first I thought my kiddo was playing a joke on me ( because its brown ) but its from one of the girls.......whooopeee(doing happy dance)

Now to figure out who it is.....3 cochins and a buttercup who are supposed to lay white and an easteregger who I thought would be blue....

check their ear lobes. Red means brown eggs, white means white or colored eggs! At least that's what I read.

 

[Happy Chooks]

We got one! We got one! At first I thought my kiddo was playing a joke on me ( because its brown ) but its from one of the girls.......whooopeee(doing happy dance)

Now to figure out who it is.....3 cochins and a buttercup who are supposed to lay white and an easteregger who I thought would be blue....

Cochins lay brown eggs.

check their ear lobes. Red means brown eggs, white means white or colored eggs! At least that's what I read.

There are exceptions to that.